5 Foods That Lower Testosterone

If you’re looking to boost your testosterone levels, there are any number of ways to go about it (including visiting us here at the clinic.) But one of the simplest is to cut activities that lower your testosterone for you. Diet is a huge factor when it comes to testosterone, so if you want to make sure you’re T levels are strong, here’s what needs to go.

1. Flaxseed

Fans of healthy eating are always talking about how great flaxseed is, and it’s true that it’s got lots of omega-3 fatty-acid content. But for guys, the negative effects of flax probably outweigh the positive. Flax is loaded with what’s called “lingans,” a compound that can significantly suppress your testosterone levels. Different studies come up with different results about just how much flaxseed inhibits your body’s production of testosterone, but almost every study agrees that there is a correlation.

2. High-PUFA Vegetable Oils

OK, not to get too technical here, but there are different kinds of vegetable oils. Coconut oil, olive oil, avocado oil and palm oil are low in what’s called PUFA (polyunsaturated fatty-acid), and actually boost your T-levels. The rest of the vegetable oils have high PUFA levels are they are catastrophic for your T-levels. The research is pretty clear. Choose your vegetable oils accordingly.

3. Mint

The research on this one is a little less conclusive, because it’s never actually been tested on men—only women and lab rats. However, in those studies, mint (and related herbs like peppermint, spearmint, etc.) lowered testosterone levels, so the evidence definitely points towards keeping your mint intake to a low volume—no mean feat during the holiday season, but your testosterone levels will thank you for it.

4. Alcohol

Now, don’t panic. Truthfully, limited alcohol consumption has been shown to actually boost testosterone levels, so a couple beers isn’t anything to worry about. But heavy alcohol consumption has been shown to have a disastrouseffect on your testosterone levels. Truthfully, heavy alcohol consumption is bad for you in just about every way something canbe bad for you. So if you drink, keep it to a healthy minimum, and your T levels will be just fine.

5. Trans-fats

You didn’t really think we’d get through a list of foods that are bad for you without mentioning trans-fats, did you? Trans-fats are included in any food with hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. That’ll include a lot of baked goods, most popular fast food items, potato chips, donuts …in other words, the good stuff. Is it hard to cut down on eating these things? You bet. Is it worth it? Absolutely.